Terwilleger Chatter News

CHATTER is a program that helps children and teens develop social communication skills, and provides them with an opportunity to make friends in the community.  Many children registered in this program are diagnosed with autism.  However, a specific diagnosis is not required to enter.  CHATTER is held at the Terwilliger Recreation Centre on Thursday evenings, and at the St. Albert Servus Centre on Wednesday evenings.  Trained peers join the program to help mentor a CHATTER student who is learning how to communicate, socialize, and develop relationships. The group is lead by a Speech-Language Pathologist, and two Speech-Language Assistants.  At least one parent or grandparent must attend the program to work with the Speech-Language Pathologist to review strategies for targeting goals at home. 

Peers receive workshops on working with CHATTER kids. They participate in role play and generalization activities, and build relationships with the registrants.  We are thankful to the young peers (the "friends") who attend every week and make this program a successful learning experience for the CHATTER kids.  CHATTER friends are eager to learn about children  with social pragmatic disorders, and have made a significant impact on the quality of life and confidence of CHATTER kids.

New families are welcome to observe a session. Please contact us in advance to let us know if you would like to set up an observation.   

The CHATTER PROGRAM in Terwillegar will begin April 4th and continue until June 20th 2013.  St. Albert CHATTER begins April 10th and continue until June 26th, 2013.  

The groups meet at the following times:
Group 1A - 5:00-6:00 
Group 2A - 5:00-6:00  
Group 1B - 6:00-7:00 
Group 2B - 6:00-7:00 
Group 3A - 7:00-8:00 
Group 3B - 7:00 maintenance 

Each group works on goals that are suitable for the age range and language abilities of the participants.  Chatter Maintenance is for children who no longer require ongoing programming from a speech language pathologist. They continue to meet CHATTER friends each week, and a speech language assistant facilitates the group and maintains previously learned skills.

Calendar of Events